Fence-post.



H. P, MOPARLAND a; M. E. EADS.

FENCE POST.

APPLXOATION FILED FEB. 9, 1914.

1,1 17,214. Patented Nov. 17, 19M.

@Mg I@ UNTTED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

HARVEY P. MOFARLAND AND MAUDE E. EADS, OF OQUAWKA, ILLINOIS.

FENCE-POST.

T0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HARVEY P. MCFAR- LANDand E. EADS, citizens of the United States of America, residing atOquawka, in the county of Henderson and State of Illinois, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts, of which thcfollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawing.

This invention relates to fences and the principal object of the same isthe provision ef a fence post which is provided with simple andeflicieiit means for holding the strands of wire in detachableengagement therewith.

Another object of this invention is the production of an efiicient keywhich is so formed as to hold the strands of wire in engagement with afence post in such a manner as to efficiently prevent the key fromaccidental disengagement therewith.

Vith these and other objects in view this invention consists of certainnovel combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts as will behereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective View of a numberof fence posts constructed in accordance with this invention, the keybeing removed. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section taken through thecomplete device showing the key in elevation. Fig. 3 is a section takenon the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 looking in direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 isan enlarged fragmentary.

sectional view of a portion of the fence post illustrating how the keyis held in position. Fig. 5 is a View similar to Flg. 4 showing aslightly modified form of key. Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 4showing another form of key. Fig. 7 is a transverse section similar toFig. 3 illustrating another form of post.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals 1 designates the postwhich is formed of metallic sheet metal or like substance which ispreferably cylindrical in shape. The forward portion of each post l isprovided with an outstanding longitudinally extending rib 2 having aplurality of horizontal notches 3 formed therein which terminate in thedepending pockets 4. Since a number of these pockets and notches areformed in each rib 2, as clearly`disclosed in Fig. 1. a number ofstrands 5 may be held in engagement with each post by passing the SerialNo. 817,600.

same through 'the notchesJ 3 so as to rest within the pockets 4.

For the purpose of' retaining theA wires from accidental disengagementfrom the pockets 4. there is provided a key G which is formed from astraight rod and which rests within the rib 2 as clearly disclosed inFig. 2. Since this key passes through the forward portion of the rib 2it will be seen that it will be impossible for the wires or strands 5 toremove from engagement with the rib '2 until after the key has beenremoved. This key is bent adjacent its upper end and has a dependingyieldable finger 7 which extends down below the lower portion of thefirst pocket 4. This will cause the finger 7 to yield as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 4 until the same has passed entirely into theinterior of the rib 2. The resiliency of the key will then cause thefinger to spring to the positions shown in-full lines in Figs. 2 and`4thereby causing the finger to come into binding engagement with thestrand of wire carried in the upper pocket of the rib. Since thisbinding engagement causes the upper portion of the key to fit snuglywithin the rib 2 all danger of the accidental removal of the key 6 iseliminated.

By referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that there is provided a key 6having a resilient finger 7 which terminates in a curved lip 8. When thekey 6 is passed downwardly through the rib 2 of the post, the strands 5will be held in their cor-rect position Within the pockets 4. The lip 8of the finger 7 will bear against the upper strand of the fence asindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. However, as the key is moveddownwardly the finger 7 will yield until it has passed by the upperstrand at which time the resiliency of the same will cause the finger tocome into binding engagement therewith, so as to allow the lip 8 to restunder the Strand, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby thc lip will firmly engagethe upper strand of the fence, thereby preventing the accidental removalof the key.

By referring tov Fig. 6 it will be seen that the key 9 isprovided withan elongated depending finger 10 which extends for a considerabledistance below the lower portion of the pocket 4, when the device is inan assembled position. From forming the key as shown in Fig. 6 it willbe seen that a -sufiicient portion of the key will extend Patented Nov.17, 1914.

above the upper end of the post for allowing the same to be easilygripped when the device is being assembled thereby allowing a person togrip the upper end of the key as the lower end of the finger is forcedpast the strand 5.

By referring to Fig. 7 it will, of course, be obvious that a fence postmay be formed having a semi-circular body 11, having at its forwardportion the usual rib 12 and notches 13. From an inspection of thisfigure it will be obvious that the body of the post may be made in anydesiredshape; such as, semicircular, triangular, squared, without in anyway departing from the spirit of this invention.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a simple andefficient fence post has been produced which is provided with means fordetachably holding the strands in 'engagement therewith and which isprovided with an efficient key for preventing the accidental removal ofthe strands, this key being provided with means for securely holding thesame in its correct position.

We claim- 1. In a device of the class described, a fence post comprisinga sheet metal body, a ribv formed upon the forward face of said body,said rib being provided with a plurality of inwardly extending notchesfor receiving a plurality of Wire strands, a key inserted in said ribfor retaining said wire strands in said notches, said key being providedwith a depending finger, said finger detachably engaging one of saidstrands for holding the key against accidental displacement when in use.

' Q. A fence post, comprising a body, a rib formed upon the forwardportion of said body, said rib provided with a plurality of horizontalnotches terminating in depending pockets, said pockets adapted to carrythe strands of a fence anda key positioned 'l within the forward portionof said rib, said key provided with a yieldable depending finger, saidfinger being spaced from the body of the key -and extending rearwardly'from the forward portions of said `rib whereby said finger will engagethe upper under the strand for holding the key in a strand of a fencewhereby-said lip will fit' set position within said rib, the resilient'i construction of said nger preventing said finger from accidentallydisengaging the wire strand.

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures in presence ofltwo witnesses.

HARVEY P. MCFARLAND. MAUDE E. EADS.

Witnesses:

Cime. L. BROOKS, E. E. CAMP.

